CHERRY HILL – A judge on Monday rejected a challenge to a planned apartment building at the former site of Haddonfield Lumber in Cherry Hill.

But critics of the proposed 152-unit complex vowed to appeal the ruling by Superior Court Judge Lee Solomon. The opponents sued to challenge two variances granted for the project by Cherry Hill’s zoning board.

Developer Buckingham Partners LLC wants to build the complex on a nine-acre site at Brace and Kresson roads. The site previously held a retail outlet for a Denver-based building supply firm, ProBuild. The store closed in October 2011.

Residents living near the site have raised concerns about increased congestion on already-busy roads. Lawn signs opposing the project line many streets in a neighborhood nearby.

The planning board in September 2012 approved a variance allowing development of a residential complex on property formerly zoned for commercial use. The second variance allows the complex to exceed a previous height limit.

Buckingham Partners said it was pleased with Solomon’s ruling.

“The zoning board conducted thorough and fair hearings, and exercised their best judgment in considering our proposal,” the company said in a statement. The firm said it was “privileged to move ahead with what we know will be a high-quality development and long-term asset for Cherry Hill.”

Lynda Yamamota, an attorney for the project’s critics, said opponents “are already in the process of appealing.”

Bob Shinn, a township resident who is among the suit’s plaintiffs, said Solomon’s ruling “sets a bad precedent and, if allowed to stand, will results in lots of other sites in Cherry Hill that are not zoned for apartments ... being able to get variances from the current master plan.”

He said that could open the door to residential development of commercial property throughout Cherry Hill, including Woodcrest Country Club. A Marlton-based developer, First Montgomery Group, is engaged in a separate lawsuit with Cherry Hill Township, seeking court approval to build 844 apartments at the once-exclusive golf course.

Opponents initially sought to block the Brace Road project by appealing the variances before township council. They sued after the council postponed a planned review in December 2012, saying it would reschedule, and a township attorney said weeks later that a 95-day appeal period had expired.